Mike Hosking hopes to improve Seven Sharp

Mike Hosking will be joining the Seven Sharp team.

Broadcasting personality Mike Hosking says his aim is to improve the TVNZ current affairs show Seven Sharp.

The Newstalk ZB host was announced yesterday as the new face of the show, along with TVNZ Breakfast host Toni Street and current Seven Sharp host Jesse Mulligan.

The shake-up comes after Alison Mau confirmed she would leave Seven Sharp at the end of the week. She intends to move to RadioLive to host a show with Willie Jackson.

Hosking will continue to host his Newstalk ZB Breakfast show, as well as the 7pm TV current affairs show.

During his regular Newstalk ZB slot with Government minister Steven Joyce and Labour MP Annette King this morning, Hosking said the aim was to improve Seven Sharp.

Mr Joyce, the former managing director of media company RadioWorks, asked Hosking: "Now that you're going to be working both ends of the day, when are you going to get time to sit on your deck with your barbecue and glass of pinot?"

Hosking replied: "Middle of the day."

Mr Joyce said that would be "interesting".

"It will be more like Seven Flat by then, or Seven Slightly Dishevelled," he joked, to laughter from Hosking.

Ms King pitched in, saying: "I'll tell you what, it will improve it."

Hosking replied: "Well, let us hope so, Annette. That is the aim."

Seven Sharp's content, which has been labelled lightweight infotainment by critics, will not change its entertainment-style approach next year, TVNZ's head of news and current affairs John Gillespie said yesterday.

"Seven Sharp has been a bold departure from legacy format current affairs at 7pm," he said.